Weiss named Rockies manager

INDIAN WELLS, Calif -- Following a month-long search, the Rockies named Walt Weiss their sixth manager Wednesday night. Weiss received a one-year deal, a challenge he embraces.

"It has moved fast and it's a great opportuntity," Weiss told The Denver Post. "It's who I am, having lived in this city, and played for this the organization. It's been part of my identity the last 20 years. I am not motivated by the terms of contract. I am just focused on the job."

The Rockies' brass met for several hours Wednesday night before choosing Weiss over finalist Matt Williams and Jason Giambi and Tom Runnells.

Weiss, 48, was the head baseball coach at Regis Jesuit High School last season, leading the Raiders to the Class 5A semifinals. His son, Brody, is a senior there.

Weiss, known as a terrific fielder who provided a heady on-field presence, played 14 major-league seasons with Oakland, Florida, Colorado and Atlanta. The shortstop won American League rookie of the year honors with Oakland.

He helped lead the A's, Rockies and Braves to the playoffs. His 1989 A's team won the World Series, beating the San Francisco Giants. In 1999, Weiss helped the Braves make the World Series, where they lost to the New York Yankees.

"I am trying to get my head around this and over the past few weeks I have come to grips with it. There are going to be things that I won't foresee that will be part of the job. I will figure things out," Weiss said. "And I will lean on guys around me and get help with the logistics about the part of the job."

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The Rockies signed Weiss in 1994 to stabilize the shortstop position and bring a veteran presence to the clubhouse. He has been around the organization ever since.

"He fell into our lap and was everything we expected and more," said former Rockies GM Bob Gebhard. "He was a leader in every way."

Weiss wasn't looking for a new job when the Rockies called nearly a month ago. The casual conversations quickly turned serious and Weiss, after discussing the issue with his family, pursued the job aggressively. He hasn't coached in professional baseball, though he worked as a minor-league instructor and scout for the Rockies.

In a copycat league where the White Sox's Robin Ventura and the Cardinals' Mike Matheny became managers without resumes, several executives predicted that Weiss could make a successful transition.

"I don't think anything would overwhelm him," said Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto.There's some concern that Weiss might be too quiet and reserved. He's not a yeller and screamer, his competitive streak more of a steady burning fire.

"I would put Walt up there with (Joe) Girardi as the two guys I played with that had the most respect on the field because of how they carried themselves and how they played the game," said former Rockies star Dante Bichette. "Obviously leading a team is different, but they sure handled themselves well."

Geivett indicated that no staff decisions would be made until a manager is in place. Bob McClure, the Rockies' former Triple-A pitching guru before working with the Red Sox and Royals, is a potential candidate for the pitching coach job. Weiss expected the staff to come from in-house candidates.

Williams did not have ties to the Rockies. Geivett first crossed paths with Williams in college, playing against him when the slugger attended Nevada-Las Vegas. Williams has a reputation for his single-minded focus and passion.

Rosairo doesn't make cut

Wilin Rosario rocked the stats, but not the vote

As expected, the Rockies catcher will not win National League rookie of the year honors. The Baseball Writers of America Association announced that Diamondbacks starter Wade Miley, Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper and the Reds' Todd Frazier were the finalists for the award that will be announced Monday.

Rosario set several Rockies records this past season, but was undone by poor defense and a 98-loss team.His 28 home runs, most ever by a Rockies' rookie, are tied for the sixth-most by a freshman player not to win rookie of the year honors. He's also only the fourth rookie catcher 23 years old or younger to hit at least 20 home runs.

So why didn't Rosario win the award or even make the top three on the ballots?

His defense.

He finished with a MLB-high 21 passed balls. It didn't help that he caught a young staff with troubling command issues, but even some veterans grew uncomfortable throwing their breaking pitches with runners on base to Rosario, fearing they would reach the back stop.

Post looks to sell

The Denver Post is seeking to sell its minority ownership in the Colorado Rockies.

The Post holds a 7.3 percent state in the major league baseball club that is majority owned by brothers Dick and Charlie Monfort.

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